APBest – Asia Pacific Basin for Energy Strategies

The debacles of flooding in the Philippines

Antonio A. Ver

Today’s big talk is flood control corruption proclaimed from Malacañang and Congress. The privilege speech of Sen. Lacson was a litany of profundities. (August 20, 2025). Soon, “Mahiya naman kayo!” will reach the Supreme Court, too.

Perennial, grandstanding, investigation, sound bites, deaths, diseases, unending sufferings. Ask I must: Has there been a solution offered? Like from the song Vincent by Don McLean, “perhaps they never will?”

Fact 1: 18 Major River Basins in entire country. See Photo here

Fact 2: “Based on the records of flood control strategies from pre-Hispanic to the present, we can see that the focus since the creation of the (bureau) is mainly on risk reduction and not on risk avoidance. Most of the projects are engineering in nature and very few dealt with land use, thus neglecting the more important issues on housing, job creation, and others. Esteros and other natural drains are neglected and become breeding grounds of garbage, literally and figuratively. And even major engineering solutions such as the Manggahan Floodway just transferred the risk especially if the entirety of the proposal is not built.” (Rinen & Maki, n.d.). See Flood Control Projects in the Philippines here.

Fact 3:

The State of Floods, Data from Energies River Corp.

On May 12, 2025, we culled the “Projects” that have been the perennial reasons of flooding.
Upcoming & Proposed Projects
Laguna Lakeshore Road Network & Dike (LLDA) A 47-km dike with a highway to protect Laguna lakeshore communities.
Status: Awaiting full funding and approval.

Pampanga Delta & Mega Dike Expansion
Strengthening dikes to protect Pampanga and Bulacan from lahar and typhoon floods.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Flood Control Components

Integration of flood control in irrigation projects (e.g., in Central Luzon).
“Build Better More” Program (DPWH 2024 Priorities)

1. Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) – Phase 1 & 2
Funding: World Bank & AIIB ($1.1 billion total)
Scope:

Construction and improvement of 36 pumping stations (e.g., in Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela).

Modernization of drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

Resettlement of informal settlers along waterways.
Status: Partially completed (Phase 1 ongoing, Phase 2 in procurement).

2. Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project
Goal: Widen and deepen the river to reduce flooding in Marikina, Pasig, and Manila.
Status: Ongoing dredging and embankment construction.

3. Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project
Funding: World Bank ($207 million)
Scope: Drainage upgrades, river improvements, and floodgates in Cavite’s industrial zones.

4. Cagayan River Flood Control Projects
Goal: Mitigate massive floods in Cagayan Valley (e.g., 2020 Typhoon Ulysses).
Actions: Dredging, river channel widening, and construction of floodwalls.

5. Mindanao River Basin Flood Control (Cotabato & Maguindanao)
Goal: Reduce flooding in the Rio Grande de Mindanao basin.
Status: Ongoing dredging and flood barrier construction.

Fact 4: Marilao-Obando-Meycauayan

Throughout Bulacan, rain waters and wastes from Valenzuela City, Metro Manila flow and plough into the tributaries and rivulets of Marilao-Obando-Meycauayan that dumps, congests and terminates in Meycauayan River. See Meycuayan River Primer here.

Fact 5: The Batangas Climate Sustainability Strategy focuses on river restoration and flood control civil infrastructure to effectively mitigate the risks of inundation and dangerous landslides in the CALABARZON Region. With its 88 rivers, Batangas becomes vulnerable to the impact of monsoon and typhoons pouring heavy rainfall that drowns the Region and Metro Manila. To jumpstart, private sector initiativedesilts and dredges waterways, swamps, creeks, dams and rivers. Official development assistance builds civil infrastructure and massive flood control pumping, drainage and sewage systems.

Fact 6: KAMANAVA sans Batangas. See River Sustainability Project here

Untried approach

Corruption does not solely come from construction contracts; rather, it is attributable to systemic defects and a disparate project management structure. There is no lean process thinking and execution. It’s not investigation that turns endless.

Unwieldy floods flow from the country’s 18 Major River Basins; yet, infrastructure planning and preparation, implementation and management are lumped into the DPWH. For more than 65 years or so; nevertheless, flood control projects have been funded by the biggest ODA: WB, ADB, JICA and as far back as OECF Yen loans, and today by Korea.

The following must be addressed:

i. The powers of DPWH must be rationalised. Its herculean tasks have been left unattended even by the best of managership.

Perhaps, its “Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster” can be transferred to a focused agency?

ii. The proposed Department of Water Resources must be more than regulatory and policy.

It must have planning, execution, management and control. Thus, it must be able to “Plan, Do, Check, Act, a four-step iterative management method used for continuous improvement of processes and results. It’s also known as the Shewhart cycle or the Deming cycle. The PDCA cycle is a continuous loop, meaning it’s designed to be repeated to refine and improve processes over time.” And, it can “Standardize-Do-Check-Act, a quality control cycle.”

iii. What happened to the Climate Change Commission? Has it delivered Climate Sustainability Leadership? Can it take over the “Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster?”

Reference:

Rinen, R. M. E., & Maki, N. (n.d.). Flood control projects in the Philippines: A historical overview. Muhon: A Journal of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and the Designed Environment, 9. University of the Philippines College of Architecture.

The Euphemisms of Flood Control: Preparedness and Mitigation?

Upcoming & Proposed Projects
Laguna Lakeshore Road Network & Dike (LLDA) A 47-km dike with a highway to protect Laguna lakeshore communities.
Status: Awaiting full funding and approval.

Pampanga Delta & Mega Dike Expansion
Strengthening dikes to protect Pampanga and Bulacan from lahar and typhoon floods.
National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Flood Control Components

Integration of flood control in irrigation projects (e.g., in Central Luzon).
“Build Better More” Program (DPWH 2024 Priorities)

More flood control infrastructure under the 2024 DPWH budget (P822 billion allocated).
– –
Ahead of them, there are already 5 major projects that are ongoing, duly funded:
Ongoing Major Flood Control Projects
1. Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) – Phase 1 & 2
Funding: World Bank & AIIB ($1.1 billion total)
Scope:

Construction and improvement of 36 pumping stations (e.g., in Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela).

Modernization of drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

Resettlement of informal settlers along waterways.
Status: Partially completed (Phase 1 ongoing, Phase 2 in procurement).

2. Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project
Goal: Widen and deepen the river to reduce flooding in Marikina, Pasig, and Manila.
Status: Ongoing dredging and embankment construction.

3. Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project
Funding: World Bank ($207 million)
Scope: Drainage upgrades, river improvements, and floodgates in Cavite’s industrial zones.

4. Cagayan River Flood Control Projects
Goal: Mitigate massive floods in Cagayan Valley (e.g., 2020 Typhoon Ulysses).
Actions: Dredging, river channel widening, and construction of floodwalls.

5. Mindanao River Basin Flood Control (Cotabato & Maguindanao)
Goal: Reduce flooding in the Rio Grande de Mindanao basin.
Status: Ongoing dredging and flood barrier construction.

ASIA CARBONX CHANGE – A Greener Tomorrow.Today

ASIA CARBONX CHANGE – A Greener Tomorrow.Today https://asiacarbonxchange.org/

Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan is the New ERC Chairperson

Atty. Francis Saturnino Juan has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), effective August 8, 2025. With decades of experience in energy regulation, Juan has held key roles at the ERC, including executive director and general counsel, and served as the first president of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines. He played a significant role in establishing the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and is a strong advocate for consumer protection, tariff reform, and renewable energy development. The appointment signals a focus on more efficient, transparent, and pro-consumer decision-making within the ERC.

UN DESA Monthly Newsletter for July 2025

“The multilateral system is the best we’ve got. There is no other system that can help us to deal with our global problems,” says Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations. As the international community is getting ready to convene for the 2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development this month, Ambassador Rae stresses the opportunities for multilateral action.

“The Pact for the Future, as well as the SDG Political Declaration of 2023, have given us the chance to define a common vision to advance sustainable development. Now is the time to reaffirm our collective commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to take decisive action to address today’s interlocking crises,” says Mr. Rae.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are shared pathway to building an inclusive, peaceful, thriving and healthy world for all. We must act now, and act boldly. With only five years remaining, we cannot afford to lose momentum on our 2030 promise. The time for words has passed, now is the time for action.

This call to action comes at a moment of global urgency. The world is facing multiple, overlapping crises—from conflict and economic slowdown to rising inequalities, and an accelerating climate emergency. The implementation of the SDGs has become more critical than ever. Alarming, acute hunger reached a record high in 2025 with 343 million people experiencing severe food insecurity. According to the United Nations, the number of forcibly displaced people reached 122.1 million by the end of April 2025.

“Urgent action is critical to reverse alarming trends and consolidate hard-won gains,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “While progress has been uneven and limited on several Goals, notable achievements across regions and countries demonstrate that change is possible.”

Even though extreme poverty has declined around the world despite the profound impact of the global pandemic, there are still over 700 million people living in extreme poverty, and the risk of falling into, or back into, poverty remains high, driven by compounded shocks and crises.

This year’s UN Ocean Conference, Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Second World Summit for Social Development, and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) provide important opportunities to strengthen and revitalize multilateralism. In an increasingly interconnected world, these global gatherings serve as essential platforms for fostering inclusive, coordinated, and effective international cooperation for both people and the planet.

As UN DESA’s Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua said, “bold actions are essential to turn the corner and show the world that multilateralism can still deliver.”

Countdown to 2030: How the HLPF is turning commitment into action and impact

On the cusp of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which launched the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), thirty-seven countries will present bold actions they have taken to advance the SDGs at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, to be held on 14-23 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

Under the theme, Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind, the HLPF will review in depth Goals 3 (good health and well-being), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 14 (life below water) and 17 (partnerships for the goals) will be reviewed in depth.

The HLPF will also feature a series of special events and close to 190 side events (on-site, off-site and virtual) bringing together governments, international organizations, the private sector and other key stakeholders engaged in the SDGs implementation.

Get the latest event updates on the HLPF website here and follow live via UN Web TV.

Expert Voices

Volume 29 | No.7 | July 2025

When tackling the world’s biggest challenges — from deepening inequalities and economic uncertainty to the climate crisis — it helps to have some of the sharpest global minds at the table. That’s the role of the UN High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB), a group of 22 distinguished thought leaders in fields such as economics, finance, demography, the environment, and gender equality.

Convened by UN DESA, this diverse group includes former Heads of State, a Nobel Laureate, former senior government officials and intellectual leaders from all regions. They offer independent, cross-disciplinary insights to help shape the UN thinking on sustainable development and bring us closer to a world that leaves no one behind.

The HLAB recently launched its third term with a multi-day session in Bangkok, Thailand. These meetings, held twice a year, are led by UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua and include participation from the Principals of the UN Regional Commissions and UNCTAD, among other special guests. Key takeaways are shared with senior UN leadership—including the Secretary-General—to inform decision-making in support of sustainable development.

But the HLAB’s impact goes beyond internal discussions.

Through the UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue Series, HLAB members engage and share their expertise directly with the public—from civil society, students, policymakers and people working toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Bangkok, members participated in an interactive policy dialogue at Chulalongkorn University titled “Converging Crises, Shared Solutions: Applying Lessons from Asia and the Pacific to Global Challenges,” showcasing SDG good practices for an online and in-person audience.

Before the next HLAB meeting this fall, many of them will participate in Policy Dialogues alongside major UN events in July, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) and the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). By connecting global expertise with inclusive dialogue, HLAB is helping to turn big-picture goals into concrete actions and lighting the way toward a more sustainable future for all.

For the full list of HLAB members, please visit the HLAB website. To register for the upcoming Policy Dialogues at FFD4 and HLPF, please visit the Policy Dialogues website.

Things You Need To Know

Volume 29 | No.7 | July 2025

This month, the world will come together at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) to assess where we stand in our joint efforts to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Where are we advancing, and where are we falling behind? To guide this work, UN DESA’s Statistics Division is launching the latest Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. Here are 4 things you need to know.

1. The report provides a comprehensive picture of global progress

With only five years left to achieve the SDGs, the report provides a comprehensive picture of global progress and gives readers a compelling reminder of why the Goals matter now more than ever for our shared future. 10 years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the report highlights notable achievements in some key areas: new HIV infections have dropped by 39 per cent since 2010; malaria prevention efforts have saved 12.7 million lives; and 110 million more children and youth are in school now than in 2015. Internet access has surged 70 per cent since 2015 and electricity now reaches 92 per cent of the world’s population. These are numbers reflect real progress made and real lives transformed.

2. Data reveals a harsh reality for many

At the same time, the report reveals some harsh realities. One in 11 people still suffer from hunger, and billions lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Gender inequality persists with women performing 2.5 times as many hours per day of unpaid care work as men. The global landscape is growing more challenging: escalating conflicts, growing geopolitical tensions, record-breaking global temperatures, unsustainable debt burdens, and a staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap that hinders progress in developing countries.

3. Scaled up actions and solutions can advance progress

Despite these obstacles, the message is clear: progress is possible if we scale up solutions and build on hard-won gains. Grounded in the latest evidence, the 2025 edition of the report will help shape policy discussions at the HLPF and guide evidence-based decisions to get the SDGs back on track.

4. Follow the report launch on 14 July to get the latest SDG data

UN DESA will launch this flagship report on the first day of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 14 July. Stay tuned for the launch event and be sure to check out the complete report which will be available at 12:30 pm EDT on 14 July 2025 here: The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025

Photo credit: UNICEF/Meerzad

Nice Conference Adopts Declaration Underscoring Vital Importance of Ocean to Life on Our Planet, Essential Role in Mitigating Climate Change

NICE, FRANCE, 13 June — After a week of deliberation and discussion, the United Nations Ocean Conference today by consensus adopted a political declaration titled “Our ocean, our future: united for urgent action”, stressing that the ocean plays an essential role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

“The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future, and we remain deeply alarmed by the global emergency it faces”, the Conference’s outcome document (A/CONF.230/2025/L.1) said, adding also: “Action is not advancing at the speed or scale required to meet Goal 14 and realize the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development]”.

The declaration, also known as the “Nice Ocean Action Plan”, expressed deep concern that the ability of the ocean and its ecosystems to act as a climate regulator and to support adaptation has been “weakened”.

Underlining the importance of interlinkages between the ocean, climate and biodiversity, the declaration called for enhanced global action to minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification. It emphasized the particular importance of implementing various UN agreements and frameworks, recognizing that it would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change and help to ensure the health, sustainable use and resilience of the ocean.

Further emphasizing the need to adapt to the “unavoidable effects” of climate change, the declaration affirmed the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols, as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Commending the leadership of small island developing States in highlighting and aiming to address sea level rise, the declaration also expressed concern for the high and rapidly increasing levels of plastic pollution and its negative impacts on the environment.

The declaration reaffirmed shared commitment to accelerating action to prevent and significantly reduce and control marine pollution of all kinds, and reiterated the need to increase scientific knowledge on deep sea ecosystems.

Further, the Conference’s outcome document recognized the “tremendous opportunities” offered by sustainable ocean-based economies for States, especially developing countries, and particularly small island developing and least developed countries, to eradicate poverty and hunger and achieve economic growth and social development.

The declaration recognized the fundamental role of management tools, such as sustainable ocean plans, in achieving sustainable ocean-based economies and the sustainable management of ocean areas under national jurisdiction. It encouraged all States to promote participatory management schemes for small-scale fisheries and highlighted the importance of efforts in regional fisheries management organizations to establish sound management measures for sustainable fisheries and recognized the critical role of maritime transport, routes and infrastructure in the global economy, trade, food and energy security.

Noting the adoption of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, the declaration called upon States and regional economic integration organizations that have not done so to consider signing and ratifying, approving or accepting the Agreement.

Furthermore, the declaration called on States to promote awareness and education campaigns at the local, national, regional and international levels to inform the public about the importance of a healthy ocean and resilient marine ecosystems. Additionally, it emphasized the critical need for national ocean accounting and mapping of coastal and marine ecosystems, and of the ocean floor to inform policy decisions, development planning, integrated coastal zone management and conservation planning.

Ocean action must be based on the best available science and knowledge, including, where available, traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local knowledge systems, while recognizing and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, in conserving, restoring and sustainably using the ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

The declaration also recognizes that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 is one of the least funded Goals and that accelerating ocean action globally requires significant and accessible finance and the fulfilment of existing commitments and obligations under relevant intergovernmental agreements.

After the adoption of the outcome document, the representative of the Russian Federation, in explanation of vote, distanced her delegation from paragraph 26 which underlines the need for the swift entry into force of the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction.

Panama’s delegate said that while much progress has been made this week, participants should have left the Conference with the full implementation of the Agreement.

Venezuela’s delegate said that her Government is not party to the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, but despite that, Caracas is committed to today’s outcome document.

Both Chile and the Republic of Korea’s representatives made statements on their joint proposal to host the next United Nations Conference on Oceans in 2028.

Delivering closing remarks, Special Adviser to the Presidents of the Conference on oceans and legal matters Elinor Hammarskjöld said the Conference’s dedication to ocean governance being more inclusive ensures that every voice is heard. “Together, we are shaping a future where cooperation leads to real lasting change”, she said. The adoption of this historic document has been a major achievement for the UN and is a vital step to reversing damage done to the climate.

“The signs of the ocean in distress are all around us”, said Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Ocean. “The time of debating with the denialists is over”, he added.

Special Presidential Envoy for the Ocean of France, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, said that for thousands of years the ocean has shaped the “global world as we know it”, and for centuries, men have been using the ocean to explore other worlds. For centuries, the ocean has allowed people to trade in goods. “How have we been able to get to the stage where we serve the ocean so poorly”, he asked, adding that fully achieving SDG 14 is “not just a simple task”.

The 2025 UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, was held in an effort to boost commitments among nations, world leaders, environmental agencies and groups.

Read more here: https://press.un.org/en/2025/sea2231.doc.htm